Battle of Vargas Swamp ( es, Batalla del Pantano de Vargas) was a battle that occurred near
Paipa
Paipa is a town and municipality in the Tundama Province, a part of the Colombian Departments of Colombia, department of Boyacá Department, Boyacá. Paipa borders Duitama, Firavitoba, Tibasosa, Sotaquirá and Tuta, Boyacá, Tuta. , on July 25, 1819. A joint
Venezuela
Venezuela (; ), officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela ( es, link=no, República Bolivariana de Venezuela), is a country on the northern coast of South America, consisting of a continental landmass and many islands and islets in th ...
n and
Neogranadine army commanded by
Simón Bolívar was trying to prevent Spanish forces from arriving at
Santafe de Bogotá, which was lightly defended, before they did. Bolívar's army successfully bested the royalist army in spite of the exhaustion of the troops after climbing the
Páramo de
Pisba, and crossing the
swamp. This battle and the
next victory over the Spanish by the
Boyacá Bridge secured the independence of
New Granada.
Battle
During the action the left flank of the Patriot army was outflanked and withdrew in disorder. The
British Legions
The British Legion () or British Legions were foreign volunteer units that fought under Simón Bolívar against Spain for the independence of Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador and José de San Martín for the independence of Peru in the Spanish Ameri ...
played a decisive role in recovering the situation when their commander
James Rooke led the 2nd
Rifles
A rifle is a long-barreled firearm designed for accurate shooting, with a barrel that has a helical pattern of grooves (rifling) cut into the bore wall. In keeping with their focus on accuracy, rifles are typically designed to be held with bo ...
in a bayonet charge against the Spanish defenses on the hills, gaining the position at great cost. A cavalry attack by a force of Venezuelan Lancers then decided the outcome of the battle, turning defeat into victory.
The battle is commemorated in the
Vargas Swamp Lancers memorial.
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References
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History of Colombia
Spanish American wars of independence
Independence of Colombia
1819 in Colombia
1819 in Venezuela
July 1819 events